After meeting Caleb, Natalie headed straight to Versant Villa in Hillside Estate, where Bianca was waiting. When she arrived, she saw Zane getting into a car.Zane looked dignified and imposing, and he was wearing a dark windbreaker. He exuded a chilling aura, his gaze cold and distant. This vibe was unique to the Entes family. Natalie had felt it before from the fifth and sixth lords.Now, she was feeling it from the seventh lord, Zane Entes.As the convoy passed by her, the car window slightly lowered. Zane's cold, piercing eyes met hers, sending shivers down Natalie's spine. This wasn’t the Zane she remembered. He was no longer Zane Jacobs, her assistant, but Zane Entes, the Entes family's seventh son!The car halted, and he said in a deep voice, "She's waiting for you.""I see," Natalie responded, unsure how to address the current Zane.Zane's lips curled into a faint smile. At that moment, Natalie felt he was even more mysterious than before. Then, he left.When N
Bianca's voice seethed with rage as she exclaimed, "Why didn't you just get rid of that child?" The fury in her tone was unmistakable.Cedric seemed to be an ever-present figure in Natalie's life. First, he mistreated Natalie, and now he pulled this move.Natalie sighed. "She's just a child."While she had reservations about Kayla and didn't particularly want to be around her, she didn't harbor the same extreme feelings as Bianca."Why doesn't he just leave with that child?" Bianca's anger was as clear as day. If Isabella's daughter meant so much to Cedric, he should spend his life with her!Compared to Bianca's fiery temper, Natalie appeared more composed. "It's up to him wherever he chooses to go with the child.""You're really okay with that?""Yes," Natalie responded. Aside from the discomfort she felt when Isabella's name was mentioned, she remained unfazed."But with him here in Simeria and close to you, there are bound to be complications," Bianca warned.Natali
Of course not!Right from the start, Natalie knew Malcolm should pray that he never gave Bianca a chance to turn things around. Otherwise, chaos would ensue in Simeria.Given the circumstances, Natalie knew persuading Bianca to leave Simeria was futile. Even if she did, as Bianca mentioned, she'd have no future and certainly no freedom. Given Malcolm's intense vendetta against her because of Faye, Bianca would be hunted down no matter where she went.At that time, the fate awaiting her would be unimaginable."Bia," Natalie murmured, looking at Bianca and feeling the weight of their situation. Marriage and men were intricate webs. Once trapped, escape might be impossible.These were things that women should not easily get involved with. Once involved, it would be irreparable and beyond redemption if they made the wrong choice."You can't drink now, right?" Bianca asked as she gently caressed Natalie's cheek with elegant fingers.Natalie replied, "Just a little."Although i
Just as they left Hillside Estate and reached the foot of the mountain, the car stopped.The driver exclaimed, "Ms. Walker..."Ahead, a Phantom obstructed their path, preventing them from reaching the main road. Despite the darkness, Natalie's blurred vision could discern that the car belonged to Cedric. A chill ran down her spine.With a thud, Cedric emerged from his vehicle and approached her side. The driver recognized him, and an underlying tension filled the air."Ms. Walker, we can turn around and...!""No need," Natalie said.If Cedric had gone to such lengths to corner her here, what more could he be capable of? Before she could react further, Cedric had already opened her car door, his demeanor hinting at an unspoken dominance.In the presence of Zane's driver, Natalie maintained her composure. She calmly exited the vehicle and entered Cedric's car. Then, they drove silently towards Peach Garden.Over time, Natalie had noticed that conversing with Cedric invariably
Isabella always held the most prominent place in his heart. What had he said back then? He said that Natalie wouldn't owe Isabella anything else after she gave up her eyes for her.What a joke!If Natalie had wanted surgery, she would have undergone it long ago. Why wait until now?When Natalie exited the medical room, Kayla stood in the hallway. Upon seeing her, Kayla approached with evident nervousness and apprehension."Mommy."Natalie was silent, but the child's persistence in calling her Mommy genuinely made her feel pity for the girl. Kayla Walker had been the child's name since she could remember, and it was possible... That her birth had been planned a long time ago.Perhaps Kayla was a pawn from the very start.When Cedric emerged, he saw Kayla cautiously reaching out to hold Natalie's hand, her eyes full of hope and anticipation. The moment Natalie felt Kayla touch her, especially noticing Kayla's striking resemblance to Isabella, she impulsively raised her han
By the time Natalie finished her shower, it was almost eleven. The nanny had left, so Natalie placed pillows around the bed to ensure Luna's safety."Mama, Mama!" Luna gleefully climbed over her, clearly in a delightful mood.Natalie's expression softened. "Oh, you. My little princess!"Luna nestled against Natalie. Whether rolling around in her arms or rubbing her face against Natalie's, their joyous interaction was harmonious.Unintentionally, Natalie thought of Cedric's tenderness towards Kayla. Though she held no affection for him, the thought of his affection for Kayla made her uneasy. Perhaps she felt she always played second fiddle in Cedric's world. Now, she found herself comparing Kayla and Luna, wondering if Cedric would prioritize Kayla as he had done Isabella similarly in times of need.Based on Cedric's current attitude towards Kayla, it seemed very likely."Mama! Milk!" Luna mumbled sleepily, showing signs of exhaustion.Natalie cradled her gently, her heart fl
The atmosphere on the scene tensed instantly!"Cly, take the child..." Just as Clyde was about to step forward with clenched fists, Natalie's voice stopped him in his tracks.When Clyde and Cedric's eyes met, it felt as if two wild wolves had met. Their gazes were terrifyingly intense."Go on," Natalie said, shooting Clyde a fierce glance when she saw him hesitating.Eventually, Clyde shot Cedric a resentful look and left. Luna had already been wheeled into a hospital room.When Kyle parked and entered, he immediately noticed Luna being escorted away by the doctors. A fleeting glance at the child sent chills down his spine.He instinctively scanned the scene, especially noting Clyde's cold demeanor as he passed. Although Clyde seemed calm, anyone familiar with the man would know the depth of that chill.With Clyde gone, Cedric forcefully pressed Natalie against the cold, disinfectant-scented corridor wall, his eyes burning red with anger."Why didn't you answer my calls?"
Inside the hospital room, Clyde glanced at the child resting on the bed. Despite the fever, Luna remained in a deep sleep, unaware of her surroundings. "Her nose and mouth resemble his so much," Clyde muttered, his brows furrowed.Natalie remained silent.Recalling her earlier encounter, she felt fortunate that Kyle had stopped himself. Had he not, and if word got back to Cedric, the entire Simeria might have been thrown into chaos!Even without full knowledge, things had already escalated significantly. The implications of what might happen if the truth came out were unthinkable."Please don't mention it," she pleaded."Cedric just made a call to Wexford," Clyde revealed."Was it to do something to you again?" Natalie's head began to throb.Cedric's unpredictable temperament always left her on edge. Each of his actions seemed hasty, without forethought. How had she not noticed this about him before they married? Why did he seem increasingly unreasonable now?!"He suggest
Bianca was still pondering how to reject Malcolm. Undoubtedly, even when she sought him out a week ago and proposed they get married, she hadn't truly wanted to marry him. As she contemplated things now, she even anticipated how crazed Malcolm might become when she presented her decision.Her phone buzzed with a call from Malcolm. In the past, Bianca would have ignored it outright, but now... she wasn't one to burn bridges."Hello?""I'll be there in ten minutes. Come down.""It's quite late."Just like before, whenever this man wanted to talk to her, especially about meeting up, she couldn't muster a pleasant expression.The man on the other end of the line simply stated, "I want to see you."Bianca’s heart clenched at those words. She was accustomed to Malcolm's cold, domineering demeanor. Even when he desired a woman, he maintained that haughty attitude. So, hearing such tender words from him was beyond her expectations."Hmph.""Come down, okay? I have a surprise for you."
As Zane reached halfway up the hill, he noticed a familiar car parked outside. Neil, the butler, was waiting outside, and upon seeing Zane return, he approached respectfully."Lord Zane.""Who's here?" Zane frowned, glancing at the brightly lit villa.What was going on? Usually, this place was dim in the evenings, but today, everything was unexpectedly bright."Ms. Stewart has returned," Neil replied.Zane's mind went blank for a moment. He stared stiffly at the butler, his pupils rapidly constricting."Ms. Stewart arrived this afternoon."Yvette!The familiar name flashed through Zane's mind like a gust of wind. How many times had he wanted to hold onto her? But in the end, for various reasons, he had to let her go bit by bit.And now, Yvette was back!Where had she been all this time?Since leaving Simeria, it was like she was a bird that had escaped its cage and soared into the sky, never to return. Zane had asked the Stewart family about her once, but even they didn't kn
"Maybe something happened," said Bianca.Natalie felt her eyelids twitch in response. What kind of terrifying situation was this?"When I say 'something happened,' I don't mean anything bad, but..."But what?In that moment, Bianca's gaze toward Natalie deepened, and she understood what her friend meant."You mean...?" asked Natalie.Bianca nodded silently.Natalie fell quiet as she pondered the situation.What if that was really the case?Natalie couldn't help but admit that if it truly was, it would naturally be a favorable outcome for her."Don't forget, if he can come, he can also leave. He can't change anything here, so it's better for him to return to the world he belongs to," Bianca explained.During this time, Natalie had transformed Simeria into a fortress. But even in such circumstances, Cedric had mysteriously vanished. Up until now, there hadn't been any clues. Even Kyle had been through so much, yet hadn't uttered any useful information.So, it had to be said t
Bianca’s calmness and composure, despite her young age, spoke volumes about how her experiences and wisdom had shaped her thoughts.Curtis, initially worried about her, felt somewhat relieved seeing the tranquility and maturity in his daughter’s eyes.He nodded slowly. "Hmm."In the end, he agreed.After all, she was his daughter. Despite not being raised by him since childhood, Curtis could see it clearly. Like her mother, Bianca would stick to her decisions, impervious to outside interference.Seeing Curtis finally eating, Bianca felt a sense of relief. After lunch, she considerately accompanied her father for a stroll before allowing him to rest.When Carol emerged from Curtis' room, she saw Bianca waiting nearby and hurried over respectfully."Miss.""How is he?" Bianca inquired."Sir is still worried about you, miss," Carol replied sincerely.Having been by Curtis' side for many years, Carol naturally understood Bianca's significance in his heart.Bianca sighed. "It wil
As she spoke, Seraphine felt the already dangerous aura around the man grow even darker, sending her heart racing. She tried to speak, but found herself speechless."Hmph, you useless thing!" Zane cursed menacingly.Cold sweat soaked Seraphine's back completely."There must be a way," she choked out, her tone tense.At that moment, Seraphine recalled what Zane had said to her before she came back to Simeria.He had told her that he never kept useless individuals around him. To gain his protection, one had to be useful. And now, Seraphine's only use—her engagement to Malcolm—had been effortlessly annulled."Heh," Zane sneered disdainfully.For Seraphine, this disdain was not only humiliating, but also starkly different from her experiences with Eleanor. In Eleanor's presence, she had never faced such disrespect. But now, it seemed like anyone could trample on her.In the past, even members of the Entes family wouldn't openly show contempt towards her, but now… Those past comfort
Seraphine had always harbored resentment towards Bianca. But Bianca had always been a rather composed individual, rarely resorting to such actions.So, what was she doing now?"You..." Seraphine's initial fury had been turned to speechlessness by Bianca's aggression.When Seraphine glanced at Bianca, she caught a glimpse of malice in the other woman's eyes.Before Seraphine could utter a word, Bianca bluntly asked, "You know, don't you?"Seraphine stayed silent.Know what?"You knew that Lord Malcolm and Lord Zane are half brothers You also knew why Lord Zane sought you out and took your side, right?" Bianca continued.Seraphine's face drained of color in an instant. And every subtle change in her expression was noticed by Bianca, whose eyes were filled with icy mockery.Stepping forward, Bianca gripped Seraphine's delicate chin. Seraphine instinctively tried to evade, but Bianca's hold was firm."You still dare claim this is your home?" Bianca scoffed."This has always been
When would the cycle of revenge end?While Bianca hadn't decided what to do about Eleanor's actions, Zane had already shown his claws.When would it end?If someone kept chasing after a person, what could they do?"Bia…"Curtis wanted to say something to his daughter, but was met with her unwavering gaze. Clearly, she wouldn't back down this time, just like her mother never did when faced with such situations. Both women faced things head-on, without flinching."Don't worry, okay?" Bianca reassured Curtis.There was another reason she was insisting on staying in Simeria—Bianca knew Curtis wouldn't leave with her. So, she wouldn't leave either.-Bianca and Curtis talked for a long time.Curtis still wanted to send her abroad, but her resolute attitude left him powerless. Moreover, from various pieces of information gathered earlier, it was clear that Bianca was a strong-willed child.No matter what problems she faced, she had her own opinions. So, asking her to leave was s
When Bianca returned to the Holly family’s residence, she found Curtis staring gravely at some documents. When he started coughing violently, his face turning as pale as a sheet, Carol hurried over to check on him."Sir, let Ms. Bianca handle these documents. Please don't strain yourself," Carol said, her tone full of concern."I see now," Curtis muttered heavily, as if he had just realized something crucial.Not understanding what he meant, Carol simply urged, "Your health can't handle this strain. Don't tire yourself out. You must trust Ms. Bianca."Curtis fell silent.Trust?He had always trusted Bianca, but now he regretted bringing her back. If he had never found her, would things be different now?"Where did she go?" Curtis asked."Ms. Bianca went out, but she'll be back soon," Carol reassured him, gently taking the documents from his hands.Ever since Bianca told the older woman about Curtis' health problems, Carol had been extra vigilant, making sure he avoided anythin
Bianca stared at the dangerous man, memories of their harmonious past flashing through her mind. Those moments had once seemed so genuine, yet now felt laughably absurd."Haha, how ridiculous!" Bianca scoffed, her laughter bitter."Bianca!" Zane's voice was sharp, cutting through her mirth."Zane, what if I reveal your true intentions to everyone? What will they think then?""Who would believe you?" Zane interrupted coldly, not letting her finish.Bianca's smile froze on her lips. He was right.Who would believe her? Curtis might, and so would Natalie. But was their trust enough?Clearly, it wasn't.But did it matter?"It's not your concern who believes me. I have never needed anyone's belief to stand strong," said Bianca.Many had doubted her before, but none had ever managed to break her spirit. The dangers she faced now might be greater, but for Bianca, they were just another set of challenges.She had overcome every hardship she encountered. This time would be no differe